| When Christmas time comes, many people shop for | | | | borders and are available for any culture for just |
| presents, prepare menu plans for the visiting family | | | | about any occasion. If you appreciate an authentic |
| members and friends, and of course, choose Mexican | | | | Mexican Christmas, you will appreciate the piñata. |
| Christmas traditions to make this holiday more | | | | These are wonderful when filled with sweet treats |
| authentic and familiar. The piñata has been used for | | | | and little toys. Watching the gleeful delight with which |
| hundreds of years in celebrating various holidays such | | | | the youngster in your life swings wildly hoping to |
| as Easter, birthdays, and yes, Christmas. There are | | | | score a bit of something special is something any |
| some wonderful memories in my own past where a | | | | adult can appreciate. Of course, not only children |
| piñata was the center of the celebrations. These | | | | appreciate this activity. An authentic Mexican |
| brightly colored objects are made of paper mache | | | | Christmas is a wonderful time for family and friends. |
| and brilliant colors. Whether the container is a donkey, | | | | Yet this symbolic piñata has spread to other |
| a star, or some other favorite design, there are few | | | | holidays and celebrations. Today, you can even fill the |
| people that can resist taking a swing at a piñata. | | | | container with other items that make it more age |
| Traditionally, a piñata is filled with sweets such as | | | | appropriate. Regardless of what is inside, you will find |
| sugarcane, but now there are toys, gifts, and even | | | | that getting to what is inside is part of the fun. When |
| money that can come out of the favorite piñata. | | | | the time comes, you can purchase the piñata for |
| Once upon a time, a piñata was a clay ritual pot | | | | your Mexican Christmas, or you can choose to |
| filled with water in the pre-Columbian Aztec days. | | | | purchase one. These are available in seasonal designs |
| This was a symbolic symbol for thunder and | | | | or you can even create your own! The internet has |
| represented the pouring of rain following a | | | | definitely made it a lot easier to get the design |
| thunderstorm. Of course, another type of piñata | | | | choices you need, and you will even find that some |
| was used to represent Huitzilocochtli the war god. | | | | websites offer an interesting look on the history. You |
| This clay pot was covered in feathers and filled with | | | | will definitely get more than you expect when you |
| little trinkets. With the addition of Catholicism to the | | | | choose this avenue for your shopping. Having a great |
| region, these rituals were adapted to fit such religious | | | | Mexican Christmas means being with family, friends, |
| celebrations. There are many theoretical origins for | | | | and people who care. Yes, having a celebration filled |
| the lovely piñata, but the truth of the matter is | | | | with tamales, delicious desserts, and other awesome |
| that it does not matter where this wonderful | | | | cuisine is great, but the reason for the season is |
| tradition started. What matters is that these are fun | | | | better when shared with those you love. |
| for children around the world, and while Mexico is | | | | More about Annie Dubois and great Mexican food or |
| often a traditional place where these are associated, | | | | gift boxes can be found at Mexican Food & Gifts To |
| the mighty piñata has definitely crossed the | | | | Go. |